Jermaine O'Neal may be ready by next week

Credit: Matthew West (file)

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said recuperating center Jermaine O’Neal is on pace to return from surgery as soon as next week. (File)

Jermaine O'Neal's recovery from knee surgery has taken a big step, according to Danny Ainge.

The Celtics' president of basketball operations watched his recuperating center work out in Chicago this morning, and later said that O'Neal's return to the team appears to be on schedule.

"It could be next week, which is about what we hoped for - the end of the month," said Ainge. "He looks good. I watched him go through his workouts."

The most encouraging news, according to Ainge, is that O'Neal has been able to work out for approximately three weeks without swelling. In addition to working out with a trainer, the center has been playing 1-ob-1 basketball.

"That's always the challenge," said Ainge. "He's been working out for that long without swelling, which is a big consideration."

O'Neal also lost approximately 12 pounds during his rehabilitation.

Ainge said that O'Neal may join the team when it begins a road trip this weekend with back-to-back games in Indiana and Minnesota, though it's unlikely he would play in either game.

But the trip continues with games in San Antonio (March 31) and Atlanta (April 1) - possible targets for an O'Neal return. He would also get some practice time, considering that there is a two-day gap between the games in Indiana and San Antonio.

"Jermaine just looks good," said Ainge. "We thought he would be back at the end of this month, and that's the way it looks right now."

Considering that Shaquille O'Neal may make his return at roughly the same time, the interior of the Celtics' defense may be on the verge of looking very different.